First
Native American
wedding ceremony since
the 1800s performed at
PAIA Tribal Grounds
By
Libby C. Rhodes
Staff Writer
In an authentic Native American ceremony,Susan Hayes
and Harold D Hatcher, both of Conway, were united in
marriage
on June 14th at a pow wow held by the Piedmont American
Indian Association (PAIA) of the Lower Eastern Cherokee
Nation of South Carolina located at 3688 Warrior Creek
Church Road in Gray Court SC 29645.
After serving as chief of the Waccamaw Tribe in
Horry County for 15 years, Hatcher retired in 2007.
His wife is currently serving as the acting chief.
History was made at this event. This was the first time
since the 1800s that a chief or spiritual person of a
recognized
Indian entity in the state was allowed to perform a wedding
ceremony and sign a marriage license. Chief Norris of the
PAIA
performed the ceremony which was made possible because
of House Bill H3798 that was introduced by House member
Garry Smith, District 27 in Greenville County. The bill was
passed
by both the House and Senate. It is truly an honor for me
to perform
the ceremony", said Norris. 'Chief Hatcher, Rep. Smith,
Senator David Thomas
and I, along with others, worked on this bill for some
time.
Rep. Smith was the author of the bill that made this day
and wedding a reality.
We appreciate his support and were pleased that he was
present
to share this history-making event with us. Smith signed
the marriage license
along with Norris. We were the first Indian Entity in South
Carolina to
perform a ceremony under the new law", said Mary Louise
Worthy
vice chief PAIA. "The Bill was passed only a few weeks
ago". According to
Worthy, Michael and Melinda Matthews, members of the PAIA
also renewed
their wedding vows at the pow wow. The PAIA holds an annual
pow wow
and chiefs and other Indian entities are invited to attend
as well
as interested citizens. In the near future we will be
attending
another wedding ceremony at the Waccamaw pow wow", said
Norris. It is turly
an experience to witness our people getting married in the
old way".